The ascending US housing starts and the tight softwood lumber supply from the Canadian lumber producers is expected to maintain the prices high in 2018.  As CBC News reported, the number of US housing starts beat expectations by surpassing 1.33 million in January on a seasonally adjusted basis, with single family starts increasing 7.6 per cent. Housing permits approached 1.4 million, and Conifex Timber Inc. chairman and CEO Kenneth Shields said that he also expects repair and remodeling markets will remain robust.  "With this favourable demand backdrop coupled with duties on Canadian lumber ...